The public health conference provides a forum in which people from diverse perspectives can work together to achieve a shared goal of addressing Indiana’s most pressing public health issues. The theme for the 2018 conference is harm reduction, a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction services and policies are effective, humane, equitable, and life-saving strategies that are vital to any comprehensive response to the opioid epidemic.

Time: 9AM - 4PM EST on October 11, 2018
Place: Indianapolis Marriot East
Fee: General Attendance: $50, Student: $25

Featured Speakers

Lunchtime: Sam Tsemberis, PhD

Pre-Conference Workshop

Harm Reduction and Syringe Service Program Workshop
October 10, 2018 from 8:30AM to 12:30PM
Fee: $30

This workshop provides an opportunity for local health departments and their community partners to explore the process of engaging their communities in discussions and planning around harm reduction and syringe services programs (SSPs). Public health and harm reduction experts will provide an interactive learning experience for participants. Counties at all stages of SSP development are encouraged to attend. Capacity: 50

Workshop participants will: 

• Explore personal and community beliefs about harm reduction and SSPs
• Identify barriers and facilitators to SSPs they have encountered in their communities
• Discuss what has worked and what hasn’t in Indiana counties with active and discontinued SSPs  
• Learn about options for housing, equipping and staffing an SSP 
• Create action steps for moving forward with harm reduction and SSP development in a county or municipality  

Exhibits and Sponsorships

Thank you to our general sponsors Indiana University Responding to the Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge Initiative, Marion County Public Health Department, Covering Kids & Families of Indiana, Indiana CTSI, and Interact for Health. It’s not too late to be an exhibitor or sponsor!

Student Scholarships

Due to our generous sponsors, a limited number of student scholarships are available to cover the registration fee to attend the conference. Interested graduate and undergraduate students from ANY university should submit a ONE-page letter of interest via email to Christina Yohanan at cyohanan@iupui.edu with "Student Scholarship Letter” in the subject of the email.

The letter should address the following information.

• Why the applicant wishes to attend?
• What the applicant wishes to gain from the conference?
• How attendance will further the applicants career and/or educational goals?

Applicants are due by August 27, 2018. Applicants will be informed of the status of their request by August 31, 2018. PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE UNTIL YOU KNOW THE STATUS OF YOUR REQUEST. 

Accommodations  

If you need to make a reservation for a room at the Indianapolis Marriott East, please Book your group rate for Indiana Public Health Conference . To secure the rate of $135 per night, you must book the room before September 17.

Who Plans the Public Health Conference?

This conference is being planned by the IUPUI Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, IU School of Public Health - Bloomington, Purdue University –Public Health Graduate program, University of Indianapolis, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Madison County Health Department, Indiana State Department of Health, Marion County Health Department, Indiana Rural Health Association, Indiana Public Health Association, Overdose Lifeline, IU School of Medicine, Ball State University, Indiana Association of School Nurses, and other partners.

Accreditation
The Indiana University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Indiana University School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Commercial Support, educational programs sponsored by the Indiana University School of Medicine must demonstrate balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor.

Continuing Education Credits
Pending: CHES credits are being sought for this event.